Learn Texas Holdem

Using Table Talk In Live Poker

Using table talk in poker is more than simple conversation. Table talk could and should be one of the tools in your poker arsenal, especially in live poker where table image can have an effect on how people play against you.

Don't Make Enemies

The last thing you want to do is offend anyone at the table. A poker enemy is not a good thing to have. Why give anyone extra incentive to try to scalp your head. Poker is a free for all as it is, why turn it into a personal vendetta. When you have an enemy, they may in fact try to take you out, thus challenging you when they wouldn't challenge someone else. Granted, this could work out to your advantage, but it could just as easily blow up in your face. Anything can happen in poker and it's not a good idea to have people wanting to rip you apart, unless you're the chip leader, and a comfortable chip leader at that.

Let Them Know You Know The Game

If you speak your poker experience, it creates an image that you are a good poker player and not a rookie. This respect will translate to the way people play against you. Players will be less likely to play aggressive against you if they know that you know what you are doing. By using insightful, well-articulated table talk related to the game, you can show your experience.

Picking and Prodding

There's nothing wrong with asking questions when at the table. What did you have? Did you have a flush? Were you chasing? Questions like these can reveal something about the player. Although, you have to take the answers with a grain of salt because there is no way to tell if they are telling the truth or not. In fact, you would have to be green or cocksure to reveal anything about the way you are playing. Still, it is one possibly effective way of using table talk in a live poker game.

Reward Your Opponents

By giving your opponents acknowledgement, you can use this to your advantage. Simple sayings like good bet, or nice hand, can encourage your opponent to continue to play in the same way. Although it's a bit sneaky, you can use this against them.

Try Not To Be A Teacher

The last thing your opponent needs is a lesson from you, no matter how much you know. When you teach your enemy, they will only use their newfound knowledge against you later on. So, if you have a big mouth, use it on other things.

Less Is More

Sometimes it's better to keep the ol' mouth shut and say as little as possible. It creates an element of mystique.

• Date posted Jun 3, 2008
• Post comment

Author

Clark Jensen

Strategy